Listed on back of parent's gravestone (findagrave.com)
Obituary from Post Register (Idaho Falls, ID) | 27 April 2010:
Merlin J. Stoddard, 68, of Shelley, passed away April 23, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family following a courageous three and a half year battle with cancer.
He was born to Wilford Henry and Ireta Winward Stoddard on August 20, 1941, at Eaton's Maternity Home in Shelley, Idaho. He was number 14 out of 16 kids.
Merlin attended school in Shelley with the class of 1959. He farmed the family homestead for many years. He also worked for Sunspice, Idaho Supreme, D&D Trucking, GPOD and the city of Shelley, where he retired in 2007.
Merlin married Jeanie Lynette Haslam on September 5, 1980, in Woodville, Idaho. They were sealed together with their family September 5, 1998, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He loved serving in the 2nd Ward High Priest group and being a home teacher. He loved going to church and passing out candy to everyone, especially the kids.
Merlin loved to fish. He would take fishing trips to Salmon every year. He never got tired of sharing his fish stories. He also loved fishing in Wolverine Canyon and the Snake River. Merlin was a big supporter of the 4-H and FFA programs. Every year he would help his kids pick out their market animals and help raise them. He also helped raise an endowment pig each year.
He had a great love for everyone. It made his day to be of service to others. He always seemed to find someone to talk to no matter where he was. He always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanie L. Stoddard; children, Kristy A. Stoddard, Elizabeth L. Stoddard and Joshua O. Stoddard, and a granddaughter, Candice Jennifer Taylor, all of Shelley; siblings, Delpha (Don) Beck of Blackfoot, Violet Cox of Hamilton, Montana, Connie (Larry) Bumgarner, Neta Nelson and Dennis (LaRue) Stoddard, all of Shelley, Alta Louise Stoddard of Pocatello, Fred (Sandra) Stoddard of Idaho Falls and Martin (Linda) Stoddard of Woodville; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Stoddard; parents; siblings, Florence Johansen, Lorene Hutchens, Darlene Quinn, Dewaine Stoddard, Jay Stoddard, Floyd Stoddard and Charles Amos Stoddard; and three nephews, Brandon Haslam, Mike Beck and Wilford Webb.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 28, at the Shelley LDS Stake Center, 325 E. Locust St. Interment will be in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.